I’ve never been great at sitting still for very long. There is always something on my to-do list and never a to-done list. I’m perpetually doing and can feel restless when sitting still. I’m well-aware of this struggle, yet it has continued to be a pattern since high school that has carried into my mid-thirties. Eventually busyness and a lack of rest catches up to me. Sure, I may be able to power through with some caffeine and a prayer but when lack of rest (not just sleep) becomes my mode of operation, it is not sustainable. For me, this has manifested itself in physical and spiritual unrest. At times, it has led to physical illness, pain and injury. Spiritually it has led to fear, anxiety, control issues and a lack of trust.
Rest is one of the lessons that God has been continually teaching and growing in me. Every time I wear myself down physically, emotionally or spiritually, He doesn’t judge me, saying “I told you so” or “Why haven’t you learned your lesson already?” Instead, He gently offers a reminder that peace and rest is found in His presence alone. He draws me near and restores my soul. After all, God created us as human beings, not human doings. We are not robots, we were designed to rest!
Does anyone else feel like they need permission to rest? Look no further! Even God, the creator of the universe rested on the seventh day of creation. Did He need to rest because He was tired? No, He is Almighty. Yet He took a full day off to indicate the completion of creation and set an example for us of the importance of resting after working. God blessed the seventh day, setting it apart as holy.
Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
God’s son Jesus also prioritized rest. Jesus frequently retreated from the crowds, to quiet places to be still, rest and pray to the Father. What a great example for us to follow! In order to serve others as Jesus did, we must rest in and be connected to the Father. Before we can pour into others, we must fill our own cup. To fill our own cup, we must value rest and intentionally carve out time with the Father. Time with God can so easily get crowded out by other things, even good things like serving.
Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Luke 5:16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Sabbath rest has several meanings in Scripture. My Bible’s dictionary defines rest as freedom from activity or labor; peace of mind or spirit; to take relief or respite. Sabbath is defined as divinely set apart for rest and worship. I view this kind of sabbath rest as an act of surrender. When we stop toiling and cast our cares on Him, we are placing our full trust in the One who alone will complete His perfect will in and through us. Resting in Him requires a release of control to the only One who is in complete control of all things. That’s easier said than done. However, when we are tuned into God’s priorities for us, we have less of a desire to rush around fulfilling our own agenda. We’re tuned into what’s most important.
God wants us to enter His rest and promises to give us rest when we come to Him. We don’t have to wait for eternity to rest, we can find rest and peace through Him now, daily. One way we can do this is by regularly honoring sabbath rest. Start small. If not an entire day of remembrance and rest, consider carving out 30 minutes each day to sit in His presence, in stillness, talking with God. Ask Him to remind you of His goodness, to renew your soul and spirit, to rejuvenate your purpose. In His presence there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11)! How do you prioritize and guard times of rest and refreshment with our heavenly Father?
Matt. 11:28-30 Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Psalm 62:1-2 Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Listen to “Come to Me” by Aaron Shust:
ABOUT OUR BLOGGER
Danielle Kuhn is a Delaware native who enjoys all the small-town aspects of living in the heart of Kennett Square with her husband Brian.
Meaningful conversations and exploring the beauty of nature by foot fill her soul. She is passionate about connecting and encouraging other women in their faith.
One of her simplest joys in life is sipping a warm cup of tea, that has undoubtedly been reheated at least once in the microwave!